Dreams and Visions

There are lots of ideas about dreams and what they mean, but one worldwide belief is that we all dream when we're asleep, even if we don't remember it. Dreams have always been a source of fascination, and people once believed they were messages from the invisible world. In ancient times the interpretation of dreams was a great art, and we can see from the dreams and visions in the Bible that they were used to foretell the future. Today, some people believe that wherever we live we all share the same information, which we tune into when we're dreaming. This could explain why people dream about the same things the whole world over, from Africa to America.

Types of Dreams

There are so many sorts of dreams that people who study them divide them into groups. Here are some of the main types.

• CREATIVE DREAMS: Many writers and artists are inspired by images that appear to them in dreams. Some of the best stories and paintings ever produced were created in this way.

• LUCID DREAMS: This is when people are aware that they are dreaming and can actually control their dream- a bit like directing a film. It is an acquired skill, and some lucid dreamers claim that they meet up with each other in their dreams, then when they wake up they find they have dreamed about the same things.

• NIGHTMARES: Dreaming about monsters can mean that there's something you're frightened of that needs to be confronted. A feeling that you can't move is often a sign you feel stuck in a rut.

• PREDICTIVE DREAMS: In these dreams the dreamers claim to be able to see into the future and predict certain events.

• RECURRING DREAMS: If you have the same dream over and over again it usually means that something's troubling you in your waking world, so try talking it through with someone to see if you can sort it out.

• SEXUAL DREAMS: All of us can dream about sexuality and it's especially common during puberty. It is a perfectly natural thing to happen at this stage of our lives.

Dream Symbols

There are so many ways to understand dreams, so it's often best to follow your own feelings. Here's a guide to some of the common dream symbols.

• BIRTH: can literally be a dream about a baby but it can also mean the start of something new in your life.

• BUILDINGS: represent the self. If you dream about rooms and corridors you may be trying to understand yourself.

• CROSSROADS: could mean there are many different paths to choose in life, and the markings on the signposts may help you to make a decision.

• DEATH: is not always about the death of someone. It can mean the end of a phase of your life or the end of something that is no longer useful.

• FLYING: is a classic symbol. It can come in the form of birds or airplanes, but the main theme is one of freedom.

• FOOD OR DRINK: can pop up in a dream and, apart from meaning you're hungry or thirsty, it could mean that you need something extra in your life.

• GARDENS: can represent how you're feeling, so if you dream about a garden try to remember how it looked, and whether it was full of flowers or not.

• MAPS: can show us which way to go, and could be a sign of travel.

• MOUNTAINS: can be symbols of what you want to do in life. They can also mean there are obstacles to overcome.

• NUMBERS: are significant because each one has a different meaning.

• TREES: are symbols of life, and they can also be about the family.

Visions

People who have visions usually see a picture of something that will happen in the future. This may appear in a dream, or even when the person is awake. Many of those who have had visions believe they're messages from another world. One of the best known visions in the Old Testament is Jacob's dream about angels on a stairway between Heaven and Earth. This vision convinced Jacob that he was on holy land, which he named Beth-El. Mohammed was also given most of the words for the Holy book, the Koran, in a vision.

Courtesy of The Element Pocket Encyclopaedia
Of Mind Body Spirit & Earth
Author: Joanna Crosse
ISBN 1-902618-10-6